Tamaqua Trying To Find Source Of Gasoline Smell

Tamaqua Borough Council decided last night to ask the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources or another state agency to help find the source of a gasoline smell on Center Street.

Donald Matalavage, borough manager, said a 30-inch pipe into which all the borough's sewer lines empty is in the area where the smell is coming from, but the source of the smell could be anywhere in the borough.

Council decided to hold a public hearing Jan. 16 to receive public input for the new block grant funding program.

Although unsure of the exact amount of the grant, the borough will apply for the maximum allocation and is requesting residents' input on the use of the funds.

Roger Bunnell, assistant borough manager, was named computer coordinator for the system the borough is installing.

He will act as liaison between the borough and Gancom, Inc., of Harrisburg, the computer company.

Several other appointments were also made by council, including James Valentine, reappointed to the zoning hearing board; Betty Morgan and John Clemson, reappointed to the planning commission, and Conrad B. Zizelmann, appointed to fill the unexpired term of borough auditor Donald Boran.

Matalavage made an appeal to citizens to volunteer for a committee to assess the needs of the handicapped in the borough.

He said that five or more members are needed for this and anyone who wants to volunteer is asked to contact him at the borough office, (717) 668-3444.